Why All-Star Gabby Williams is a game-changing signing for Valkyries

Bringing Gabby Williams to the Bay is a game-changing signing for the Golden State Valkyries.

“For a player of Gabby’s caliber to choose us in just our second year… means everything,” Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in the team’s press release.

By everything, Nyanin means everything. Because Williams is the player of the Valkyries’ dreams. She is a player who not only raises their ceiling of contention over the next couple of seasons but also changes the tenor of the young franchise as it hopes to establish itself as one of the premier organizations in the WNBA.

Because, simply put, it was not enough this offseason to run it back with the same Cinderella group that got the Valkyries to the playoffs in their very first season. Golden State needed a real upgrade to make coach Natalie Nakase and owner Joe Lacob’s promise of a championship within the first five years a viable reality.

And with how quiet the Valkyries opened free agency, and how their die-hard fans could only watch star free agent after star free agent come off the board, Golden State was in real danger of coming away with nothing this offseason. A result that would not only have been a front office failure, but a failure and setback for all their grandiose promises and aspirations.

So, for all the talk of the Valkyries being a franchise willing to spend, willing to take care of its players, and willing to do whatever it takes to win, they needed to prove it this offseason. They needed to prove they could stand up to those words, those values, and their direction.

By inking Williams to a multi-year deal, the Valkyries have shown they are the real deal.

Gabby Williams’ impact on the court

There’s a reason the Valkyries narrowed their focus so tightly on a player like Williams.

“She is world-class,” Nyanin said. “One of the best defenders in the world, a WNBA All-Star, and someone who makes everyone around her better.”

For as impressive as the Valkyries were last season, with their strength-in-numbers, win-by-committee style of basketball, they had glaring weaknesses that needed to be addressed. Namely, a real shooter who could space the floor and a true on-ball creator who could get her own shot and take the burden off of Veronica Burton.

As an offensive player, Williams addresses both of those things. Pick-and-roll, in the post, off-the-ball, off the dribble, you name it, Williams can do it. While not on the level of the A’Ja Wilsons of the world, she can get her own in isolation while not being a ball-stopper because of her vision and playmaking.

And because of her European background, she’s a deadly off-ball cutter, especially in the split action. That should fit nicely into Nakase’s ball-movement-oriented schemes.

Defensively, Williams’ accolades speak for themselves. Williams led the league in steals last season (2.3 per game), earning her first-team All-Defensive honors as one of the best disruptors in the W. She’s elite at the point of attack and deadly lurking in the passing lanes.

Her Swiss Army knife, master-of-everything style of defense matches Nakase’s schematics to a T, particularly her roving zone defenses. Williams is the ideal player to use on the edges to gap passing lanes and pressure ball handlers, which is the goal of Nakase’s zone defenses.

What’s left for the Valkyries this offseason?

With Williams inked, the Valkyries landed their big fish this offseason. What comes next is housekeeping.

They’ve re-signed center Iliana Rupert and forward Janelle Salaün to multi-year contracts, keeping their French core intact with Williams. They also re-signed forward Cecilia Zandalasini to a one-year contract, retaining one of Nakase’s favorite players, and activaed of guard Justė Jocytė’s rookie scale contract.

From here, Golden State will look to address some of its needs. With center Monique Billings going to the Indiana Fever, the Valkyries need a rotational big. They can get that by re-signing Temi Fagbenle, but they are also in need of a microwave scorer to supplement Williams and Burton. Familiar face Tiffany Hayes is a name that would make a lot of sense.

The Valkyries can also address some of these needs in the draft. With the eighth, 23rd, and 38th overall picks, they can add some intriguing talent and retain them with the addition of the two developmental roster spots this season. Raven Johnson, Gabriela Jaquez, and Gianna Kneepkens are all potential targets at eight.

But ultimately, signing Williams is the Valkyries’ big splash this offseason. It marks a necessary step forward in their quest for a title and a landmark moment for the franchise. Williams choosing the Valkyries over the Las Vegas Aces and the Minnesota Lynx proves they can attract real star power and outdo decorated powerhouses.

Williams legitimizes the Valkyries as a serious, competent, and competitive franchise. And that will have lasting ripple effects from here on out.

“Honestly, what excites me most is who she is as a person,” Nyanin said. “Gabby has deep roots in the Bay Area, and she is coming home. The community is going to love her, and I think she is going to love it here.”

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